Sustainable gardening

The Oregon State University Extension Service encourages sustainable gardening practices.

Preventive pest management is emphasized over reactive pest control. Identify and monitor problems before acting and opt for the least toxic approach that will remedy the problem. The conservation of biological control agents (predators, parasitoids) should be favored over chemical controls.

Use chemical controls only when necessary and only after thoroughly reading the pesticide label. First consider cultural, then physical and biological controls. Choose the least-toxic options (insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils, botanical insecticides, and organic and synthetic pesticides — when used judiciously).

Planning

Plan your vegetable garden carefully for spring, summer, and fall vegetables that can be eaten fresh or preserved. If you lack in-ground gardening space, plan an outdoor container garden.

Use a soil thermometer to help you know when to plant vegetables. Some cool season crops (onions, kale, lettuce, and spinach) can be planted when the soil is consistently at or above 40 degrees Farenheit.

Maintenance and Clean Up

Lawn mowing: Set blade at 0.75 to 1 inch for bentgrass lawns; 1.5 to 2.5 inches for bluegrasses, fine fescues, and ryegrasses.

Compost grass clippings and yard waste, except for clippings from lawns where weed-and-feed products or herbicides (weed killers) have been used.

Spread compost over garden and landscape areas.

Prune gooseberries and currants; fertilize with manure or a complete fertilizer.

Fertilize evergreen shrubs and trees, only if needed. If established and healthy, their nutrient needs should be minimal.

If needed, fertilize rhododendrons, camellias, and azaleas with acid-type fertilizer. If established and healthy, their nutrient needs should be minimal.

Western Oregon: Prune spring-flowering shrubs after blossoms fade.

Western Oregon: Fertilize caneberries using band fertilizer, broadcast fertilizer or a complete fertilizer or manure.

Pest Monitoring and Management

Spray trees and shrubs for webworms and leafrollers, if present.

Protect new plant growth from slugs. Least toxic management options include barriers and traps. Baits are also available for slug control; use with caution around pets. Read and follow all label directions prior to using baits or any other chemical control.

Learn to identify the predatory insects that can help keep aphids and other pests under control.

Spray to control leaf and twig fungus diseases in dogwood, sycamore, hawthorn, and willow trees.

Prune ornamentals for air circulation and to help prevent fungus diseases.

Western Oregon: Start rose blackspot control tactics at budbreak. Control rose diseases such as black spot. Remove infected leaves. Spray as necessary with registered fungicide.

Western Oregon: Monitor for European crane fly and treat lawns if damage has been verified.

Trade-name products and services are mentioned as illustrations only. This does not mean that the Oregon State University Extension Service endorses these products and services or intends to discriminate against products and services not mentioned.